ABS vs XPS
Polymer · grade comparison
ABS and XPS are both polymer grades. ABS is the stronger of the two: yield strength 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS, about 105 times as much; tensile strength follows at 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) vs 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi). ABS is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for XPS. XPS is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 1.04 g/cm³ for ABS) and ABS is stiffer (2.3 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, XPS machines more easily (excellent vs very good), ABS welds better (very good vs poor), and ABS sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than XPS (standard, $$).
ABSChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
XPSChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
ABS vs XPS: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 75°C167 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ABS | XPS |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
ABS vs XPS — frequently asked
Is ABS stronger than XPS?
Yes. ABS has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS — about 105 times as much. Tensile strength is 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) vs 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ABS or XPS?
ABS is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while XPS is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, ABS or XPS?
XPS. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (80/100) for ABS; for welding the order is ABS first (very good, 78/100) then XPS (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS and XPS side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.